DE102011002268A1 - Wound care article with a pattern of incisions and / or punches - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wound care article, comprising a flat absorption body made of a fleece or airlaid material containing superabsorbent polymers, said flat absorption body having a pattern of incisions and / or punchings

Description

The present invention relates to a wound care article with a pattern of incisions and / or punches according to the preamble of claim 1

From the prior art, for example from the DE10059439 The assignee of the present application discloses wound care articles having a wound exudate absorbing body. In this case, the latter has a substantially flat material portion of absorbent material, consisting of an absorbent fleece with superabsorber particles distributed therein.

The absorption body described therein is constructed in multiple layers, wherein the layers are connected by so-called "bonding points" area. The bonding points are generated by thermal pressing with a stamp-like matrix. A wound care article made with such bonding points has a certain rigidity over its surface and is not very flexible. In addition, in certain circumstances, the recesses produced by the bonding method have welded surfaces on their walls, since the bonding method works with heat, among other things. This can lead to a sealing of the respective areas and thus make it difficult for the liquid to enter the absorption material, which in turn impairs the overall fluid absorption.

There are other approaches that work without said bonding points. However, the products produced by these processes also have a certain rigidity and may also tend to make it more difficult to enter the absorbent material,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Object of the present invention is to provide a wound care article that does not have the disadvantages mentioned. This object is achieved by the features of the present set of claims. The subclaims indicate preferred embodiments. It should be noted that the specified area information is to be understood throughout including the respective limit values.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, therefore, a wound care article comprising a sheet-like absorbent body of a nonwoven or airlaid material containing superabsorbent polymers is provided which has a pattern of incisions and / or punches.

The term "nonwoven" refers to a fabric of individual fibers which, unlike fabrics, knits and knits, is not made from yarns. Nonwovens retain their structural integrity i. d. R. by adhesion of the individual fibers to each other. They are also referred to as "nonwovens", and z. B. made by forging the fibers. The term "airlaid" refers to a special nonwoven fabric made of pulp and polyolefin fibers, in which possibly superabsorbent polymers are embedded.

Preferably, it is further provided that the wound care article at least partially contains superabsorbent polymers. Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are plastics that are able to absorb many times their own weight - up to 1000 times - in liquids. Chemically, this is a copolymer of acrylic acid (propenoic acid, C ₃ H ₄ O ₂ ) and sodium acrylate (sodium salt of acrylic acid, NaC ₃ H ₃ O ₂ ), wherein the ratio of the two monomers to each other may vary. In addition, a so-called core crosslinker (core-crosslinker, CXL) is added to the monomer solution, which connects the long-chain polymer molecules formed in places with each other by chemical bridges (they "crosslinked"). These bridges make the polymer water insoluble. When water or aqueous salt solutions penetrate into the polymer particles, it swells up and tightens this network at the molecular level so that the water can no longer escape without assistance.

The superabsorbent polymers can be present in the wound care article according to the invention in the form of a granulate, a powder, a bed, a compact, a foam, in the form of fibers, a fiber knitted fabric, nonwoven fabric and / or a fiber wadding.

The wound care article may preferably comprise a substantially flat absorbent body of absorbent material consisting of an absorbent web having superabsorbent polymers dispersed therein. These may be in the form of a granulate, a powder, a bed, a compact, a foam, in the form of fibers, a Fasergewirkeses, -laid or -fleece and / or a fiber wadding.

In this case, the absorbent body has at least one material which is selected from the group comprising a mat, in particular an airlaid of said yarns or fibers of superabsorbent polymers with incorporated superabsorbent polymers, and / or a loose filling of superabsorbent polymers. Said airlaid mat may preferably have a substantially flat material portion of absorbent material, the z. B. consists of an absorbent fleece of said fibers with superabsorbent polymers distributed therein.

This absorbent body may correspond to the absorbent pad which is contained in a wound dressing of the applicant of the present invention, as described, for example, in US Pat WO03094813 , of the WO2007051599 and the WO0152780 and sold under the trade name "sorbion sachet". The disclosure of the said writings is fully attached to the disclosure of this document.

In another embodiment, the absorbent body can also form a core which - possibly flake-like - fibers or yarns of superabsorbent polymers and superabsorbent polymers in granular form, wherein the granules are glued or welded to the fibers or yarns in several heights, and the granules are distributed over more than 50% of the total height of at least a portion of the core, wherein there are mixed areas of granules and fibers. The proportion by weight of the superabsorbent polymers may preferably be in the range between 10-25% by weight. Similar constructions are known from conventional incontinence materials and known as sanitary napkins for their cushioning properties. Around this core around a shell may be arranged, which is arranged overlapping in areas, and the z. B. an adhesive seam covered or part thereof.

Likewise, a portion of a hydrophobic and / or water-repellent or water-impermeable material may be provided within the envelope, which acts as a soaking or laundry protection.

The absorbent body, in another embodiment, may also include at least one flat layer comprising fibers or yarns of superabsorbent polymers to which superabsorbent polymers in granular form are adhered. This results in a preferred embodiment, a structure of the body having at least three layers, wherein two cover layers surrounding a layer having superabsorbent polymers.

There are no mixtures of fibers and superabsorbent polymers in the plane; but only fixed announcements of both materials. In a preferred embodiment, the possibly provided multiple layers may also be physically compacted together by rolling, pressing, calendering or similar processes.

Moreover, the body may have repetitive patterns or grains, such as As a check pattern, a stamping pattern or the like.

The term "incision" as used herein refers to an incision in the absorbent body in which no material has been removed. The term "punching" as used herein refers to an incision in the absorbent body from which material has been removed.

Incisions in the context of the present invention are preferably incisions in the material without the material being substantially removed. Said incisions may be slotted or angular (L-shaped), but also cross-shaped or star-shaped. Other preferred forms of said incisions are in 1b shown.

Punches in the context of the present invention are characterized by a substantial removal of material and are preferably circular ("punched holes"), diamond-shaped, or polygonal. Of course, combinations of incisions and punches in a wound care article are conceivable.

Both the incisions and the punches are preferably designed such that they penetrate the absorption body through all the layers. Alternatively, it may also be provided that they penetrate only a few layers of the absorption body.

It is important that the shape of the incisions and / or punches, or their depth, can be specified by the relevant punching or incision tool.

It is preferably provided that the incisions and / or punches are designed and / or arranged in such a way that they increase the softness, the conformability and / or the wearing comfort of the wound care article. Likewise, it is preferably provided that the incisions and / or punches are formed and / or arranged in such a way that they facilitate the liquid entry into the wound care article. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the incisions and / or punches are formed and / or arranged in such a way that they define folding lines along which the wound care article can be folded.

Furthermore, a kind of "inner expansion space" is created by the punches, which is available for an increase in volume of the absorber material as a result of fluid intake and the latter so promotes.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the wound care article has an at least partially liquid-permeable shell. The latter surrounds the absorbent body, forms a barrier against solid precipitates forms and allows the passage of other leaked substances to the disposed within the shell absorption body. The sheath is preferably at least partially closed by a seam. It may be z. B. an adhesive seam, a stitched seam or a weld, for example, an ultrasonic weld.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the flat absorption body in plan view of its flat side has a surface (F1), which is in the non-wetted state by 3% to 75% smaller than the surface (F2) of the flattened shell.

In this way, the wound care article forms an expansion space, which ensures that the absorption body can increase in volume during fluid intake and is not restricted by the sheath.

Particularly preferred is provided that the shell in plan view of its flat side has a circumferential, projecting beyond the seam top and the absorbent body is free of hard, sharp edges and corners. Particularly preferably, the corners of the shell - in plan view - strongly rounded.

The pores or meshes of the shell are preferably designed such that they are smaller than the superabsorbent particles. This is particularly important because through the incisions or punches Superabsorberpartikel can trickle out of the absorption body and therefore must be retained by the shell.

Although the size of the superabsorbent particles is subject to certain stochastic fluctuations, it may be provided that the pores or meshes of the shell are preferably smaller than the mean diameter of said superabsorber particles, more preferably smaller than the mean diameter of the single or multiple standard deviation of said superabsorbent particles.

Preferably, the pores z. B. 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.20 mm to 0.50 mm in size. Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the pores or meshes are delimited by the filament or fiber sections, which are approximately arc-shaped in section through the envelope and point outward with their arch apices.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the absorption body is fixed in the shell. Alternatively, however, it can also be arranged freely movable in the casing.

It is particularly preferably provided that the absorption body in the wound care article according to the invention has a grammage or a basis weight of ≥ 100 g / m ² and ≦ 600 g / m ² , particularly preferably from ≥ 125 g / m ² to ≦ 500 g / m ² and especially preferably from ≥ 160 g / m ² to ≦ 220 g / m ² . It is further preferred that the wound care article according to the invention has a width of between 20 and up to and including 140 cm and a length of between 30 and 250 cm inclusive. Particularly preferred dimensions are 7.5 × 7.5 cm, 10 × 10 cm, 10 × 20 cm and 20 × 20 cm.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the absorption body has a proportion of ≥ 40 wt .-% of superabsorbent polymers. The weight fraction of the superabsorbent polymers is particularly preferably ≥ 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 or 70% by weight. Wound care articles with such high proportions by weight of superabsorbent polymers have a particularly high absorption capacity for liquids and can replace, for example, vacuum wound care systems on the market.

The envelope is preferably formed from woven or non-woven composite synthetic fibers, such as polypropylene or polyethylene fibers, but also cotton, silk or viscose. The sheath preferably consists of one of a woven or nonwoven material which has at least a surface-specific weight of 20 g / m ² .

Preferably, the shell is made of hydrophobic material, or the shell material is hydrophobic equipped. The hydrophobic properties of the sheath prevent it from sticking to the wound surface and help the wound exudate particles to enter the sheath more quickly.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the shell has an elastic material at least in sections. This may be z. B. fibers of Lycra or spandex act. This also ensures that the material portion can increase in fluid intake in its volume and is not limited by the shell. In this case, the expansion space described above may be dispensed with.

Wound dressings of the type mentioned are for example in the WO03094813 , of the WO2007051599 and the WO0152780 of the Applicant of the present invention discloses. The disclosure of the said writings is fully attached to the disclosure of this document.

The material of the sheath may be structured such that the sheath has a rough inner surface and a smooth outer surface. Preferably, the rough inner surface of the shell is formed by funnel-shaped perforations, each tapering in the direction of the inner surface and terminate in a free opening edge ("projection"). This rough inner surface counteracts the displacements of the contents of the shell, so that can be dispensed with a fixation with adhesive dots. Accordingly, the smooth outer surface of the sheath material may be formed by curved, between the perforations extending material portions. Such a shell material can be referred to as "three-dimensional" in contrast to a two-sided plane, and is made of z. B. from the DE 10 2006 017 194 the applicant of the present application, the disclosure content of which is fully referenced here.

Particularly preferably, it is provided that said three-dimensional shell material is laminated to the aforementioned polypropylene nonwoven. Such a design results in improved fluid absorption properties.

It can also be provided that the wound care article has a liquid-impermeable back protection ("backsheet") on its side facing away from the wound. Furthermore, it can be provided that the sheath on the wound-facing side is equipped with a physiologically acceptable adhesive (for example a hydrocolloid adhesive).

In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the wound care article comprises silver, silver ions or silver-containing compounds. A wound care article comprising silver and superabsorbent polymers is for example in EP1656914 described, which also describes the resulting from the interaction of both components advantages. This interaction is even further enhanced in the context of the subject invention, since the higher conformability ensures better contact with the wound and therefore the silver, the silver ions or the silver-containing compounds can better develop its effect in the wound. Furthermore, the increased liquid entry causes the silver, the silver ions or the silver-containing compounds to mobilize more quickly, so that it can more easily enter the wound. Furthermore, the foldability makes it easier to use, even in deep cavities or fistulas, which are particularly susceptible to inflammation and therefore particularly benefit from treatment with silver, silver ions or silver-containing compounds.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the wound care article has a preparation comprising bacteriophages or their constituents. A wound care article containing bacteriophages or their components and superabsorbent polymers is for example in WO2009060097 described, which also describes the resulting from the interaction of both components advantages. This interaction is further enhanced in the context of the subject matter of the present invention, as the higher conformability ensures better contact with the wound and therefore the bacteriophages or their constituents can better develop their effect in the wound. Furthermore, the bacteriophages or their components are mobilized faster due to the increased liquid entry, so that it can easily get into the wound. Furthermore, the foldability makes it easier to use, even in deep cavities or fistulas, which are particularly susceptible to inflammation and therefore particularly benefit from treatment with bacteriophages or their constituents.

Furthermore, the use of a wound care article according to one of the preceding claims as a tamponade, for the treatment of fistulas, and / or for the treatment of wound cavities is provided. On the one hand, the high conformability and / or foldability and, on the other hand, the improved liquid absorption are particularly advantageous for this purpose.

Furthermore, the use of a wound care article according to one of the preceding claims in a vacuum wound care system is provided. Such vacuum wound care systems are for example in the published patent applications WO2006048240 . WO2006048246 and WO2006056294 which also describes the advantages resulting from the interaction of vacuum wound care and superabsorbent polymers. This interaction is reinforced in the context of the subject matter of the present invention, since the higher conformability ensures better contact with the wound and the superabsorbent polymers can better develop their collecting function.

In a further preferred embodiment of the wound care article according to the invention, at least one lining layer, preferably made of cellulose fleece, is arranged between the absorption body and the sheath. The laminating layer is used to that taken by the shell To conduct wound exudate to the absorbent body while preventing backflow of wound exudate into the wound. The lining layer is preferably adapted to the internal dimension of the casing and accordingly in the surface slightly larger than the underlying absorption body, so that leaks can be intercepted from the absorption body. Preferably, the lining layer is exactly adapted to the expansion space around the absorbent body. The absorbent body may be flanked by a liner only from one side, or covered with one or more liner layers by a sandwich arrangement from both sides. The laminating layer is preferably made of cellulose fleece without further Superabsorberbestandteile. However, laminating layers with superabsorbers are also possible.

pictures

The present invention will be explained in more detail by the figures shown and discussed below. It should be noted that the figures have only descriptive character and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

1a shows a wound care article 10 in plan view, comprising a shell 11 with a seam 12 , as well as a flat absorption body 13 from a nonwoven or airlaid material containing superabsorbent polymers. The shell forms an expansion space 14 so that it is ensured that the absorption body can increase in volume during fluid intake and is not limited by the sheath. The flat absorption body 13 has a pattern of L-shaped incisions 15 on, which are introduced by means of a suitably designed punching tool in the absorption body and in particular increase the conformability of the originally relatively rigid absorption body. In this way, a wound care article is achieved, which gently clings to the wound relief, is perceived by the patient as very soft and pleasant and can develop its wound exudate absorbing function by the close contact with the wound.

1b shows by way of example other forms that can accept said incisions.

2a shows another wound care article 20 in plan view, comprising a shell 21 with and a flat absorption body 23 from a nonwoven or airlaid material containing superabsorbent polymers. The flat absorption body 23 has a linear pattern of punches 25 on, which are introduced by means of a suitably designed punching tool in the absorption body. In this way, a fold line is given, along which the wound care article can be folded, for example, to insert it into a deeply incised wound. Furthermore, the punctures, which come to rest in particular on the wound base, facilitate the entry of liquid into the wound care article and thus improve the active uptake of exudate. 2 B shows said wound care article 20 in a folded position in a deeply incised wound.

3a shows another wound care article 30 in plan view, comprising a shell 31 and a flat absorption body 33 from a nonwoven or airlaid material containing superabsorbent polymers. The flat absorption body 33 has three linear patterns of punched holes 35 on, which are introduced by means of a suitably designed punching tool in the absorption body. In this way, three fold lines are given, along which the wound care article can be folded, for example in order to adapt it to the relief of a wound. Furthermore, the punctures, which come to rest in particular on the wound base, facilitate the entry of liquid into the wound care article and thus improve the active uptake of exudate. 3b shows said wound care article 30 in folded position adapted to the relief of a wound.

4 shows another wound care article 40 in plan view, comprising a shell 41 and a flat absorption body 43 from a nonwoven or airlaid material containing superabsorbent polymers. The flat absorption body 43 has a flat pattern of punched holes 45 on, which are introduced by means of a suitably designed punching tool in the absorption body. In this way the liquid entry into the wound care article is facilitated. Furthermore, the conformability of the originally relatively stiff absorbent body is increased, so that a wound care article is obtained, which gently conforms to the wound relief, is perceived by the patient as very soft and pleasant and can fully develop its wound exudate-receiving function by the close contact with the wound.

5 shows further embodiments of the wound care article according to the invention, wherein the punches and / or incisions, which are partly realized together in a wound care article, the softness increase the conformability and / or comfort of the wound care article, facilitate the liquid entry into the wound care article and / or give fold lines along of which the wound care article can be folded.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10059439 [0002]
• WO 03094813 [0012, 0038]
• WO 2007051599 [0012, 0038]
• WO 0152780 [0012, 0038]
• DE 102006017194 [0039]
• EP 1656914 [0042]
• WO 2009060097 [0043]
• WO 2006048240 [0045]
• WO 2006048246 [0045]
• WO 2006056294 [0045]

Claims (13)

A wound care article comprising a sheetlike absorbent body of a nonwoven or airlaid material containing superabsorbent polymers, said sheetlike absorbent body having a pattern of incisions and / or punches. A wound care article according to claim 1, characterized in that the incisions and / or punches are formed and / or arranged in such a way that they increase the softness, the conformability and / or the wearing comfort of the wound care article. Wound care article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the incisions and / or punches are formed and / or arranged such that they facilitate the liquid entry into the wound care article. Wound care article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the incisions and / or punches are formed and / or arranged in such a way that they define fold lines, along which the wound care article can be folded. Wound care article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an at least partially liquid-permeable shell. Wound care article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat absorption body in plan view of its flat side has a surface (F1) which is in the non-wetted state by 3% to 75% smaller than the surface (F2) of the flattened sheath. Wound care article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the absorbent body is fixed in the sheath. Wound care article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the absorbent body has a proportion of ≥ 40 wt .-% of superabsorbent polymers. Wound care article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath comprises, at least in sections, an elastic material. Wound care article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wound care article comprises silver, silver ions or silver-containing compounds. A wound care article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wound care article has a preparation comprising bacteriophages or their constituents. Use of a wound care article according to one of the preceding claims as a tamponade, for the treatment of fistulas, and / or for the treatment of wound cavities. Use of a wound care article according to any one of the preceding claims in a vacuum wound care system.

Images